South African Politician Julius Malema Jailed for Gun-Law Violation
South African Firebrand Politician Julius Malema Jailed for Gun-Law Violation CAPE TOWN - South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after a court found he fired a rifle into the air...
South African Firebrand Politician Julius Malema Jailed for Gun-Law Violation
CAPE TOWN – South African opposition leader Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years in prison after a court found he fired a rifle into the air at a political rally in 2018.
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The ruling closes a case tied to an Economic Freedom Fighters celebration held that year.
What was the case against Malema?
Malema was convicted in October of illegally possessing a firearm and discharging it in a public place. Prosecutors said he fired the rifle into the air during the rally.
When handing down the sentence on Tuesday, Magistrate Twanet Olivier said Malema had knowingly broken firearm laws by shooting the weapon at the EFF event.
Malema, 45, heads the Economic Freedom Fighters, the fourth-largest party in parliament. He denied the charges and maintained that the weapon was a toy.
The politically sensitive proceedings drew a strong display of backing outside the court, where hundreds of EFF supporters dressed in red gathered for the sentencing.
DW’s Dianne Hawker-Kalubi says the sentence means he can no longer serve as a member of parliament. His team has said he will immediately appeal.
This is a developing story, more to follow…
Source: DW